Sports Vocabulary

Sport is one of the most popular topics for conversation. To learn the words you need for conversations about sport, study our sports vocabulary lists. On this page you can find general sports vocabulary, and by clicking on the links to the right you can find special vocabulary for particular sports, together with quizzes. You can also explore a whole section about the Olympic Games. When you're ready, you can try your hand at our: Sport or sports? 1. sport (noun, uncountable): Johhny loves sport. 2. sports (noun, countable): Johnny plays two sports; football and tennis. 3. sports (adjective): Johhny reads the sports news every day.

Word arena

Example sentence The arena was full of excited spectators cheering on their team.

Meaning a level area for holding sports events, surrounded by seats for spectators

amateur

The Olympic Games were engaged in something, like originally for amateur athletes playing sports, without only. payment; non-professional Most professional athletes spend hours every day in training. a person who trains for and competes in a sport

athlete

athletics

There are some very good 'track and field' events of runners on our athletics team. running, jumping, throwing, etc. All the members of the winning team were awarded a gold medal. Italy beat France to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The captain usually leads his or her team onto the field. A wicketkeeper in cricket must be very good at catching the ball. The boxer Muhammad Ali was World Heavyweight Champion three times. The fans made a lot of noise to give someone something as a reward for high achievement to defeat someone in a game or a competition the leader of a team to grab and hold something that has been thrown a top-rated, highly successful player to shout encouragement to a

award

beat captain catch

champion

cheer on

cheering on their team. coach Players should carry out their coach's instructions during a game. Over 10,000 athletes will compete in the Olympic Games. The English Premiership League is one of the world's top football competitions. Each competitor in a golf tournament must record his or her own score. Do you know who won this year's figure skating contest? The tennis courts at Wimbledon in London have a grass surface. A golf course usually has eighteen holes. After they won the final game, the winners were awarded the Championship Cup. Our players were very happy after they defeated their opponents in the final game.

team or a player a person who trains and directs an athlete or a sports team to take part in a contest or a competition an organized event in which people compete to win a person who takes part in a competition or a sporting contest a game or event in which people compete to win a quadrangular area on which ball games are played, such as tennis or basketball an area of land prepared for racing, golf, or other sports a cup-shaped trophy, awarded as a prize in a contest

compete

competition

competitor

contest court

course cup

defeat

to win a victory over opponents in a game or contest; to beat

defend

The team attacked and scored to protect one's goal rather two goals, then spent the rest than attempt to score against of the game defending the one's opponents lead. The score was 1-0, but the losing team got a late goal and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The 100 metres run is one of the most exciting events in athletics. Sometimes the umpire of a tennis match has to tell noisy fans to be quiet. to finish a contest or game with an even score; tie

draw

event

a particular contest in a sporting programme a person who supports a particular sport, team or player

fan

field

How many players are allowed on the field during a baseball game? Today's basketball game was very close. The final score was 84 to 82. I exercise at the gym every day for fitness and good health. Jimmy got the ball, ran down the pitch, and then scored the best goal of the game.

a piece of land marked out for a sports contest e.g. hockey field the score at the end of a game

final score

fitness

the condition of being physically fit and healthy an instance of scoring in a ball game by getting the ball into a target such as between goalposts, through a hoop, or into a net. a room or building equipped for physical exercise

goal

gym / gymnasium

Our gym has a lot of new exercise equipment, including running machines and cycling machines. The players went into the rooms at half-time and listened to their coach. In sports like diving and gymnastics, judges score each performance in a contest. Nearly every town in the U.S. has teams in a local baseball league. It's good for kids to spend some of their leisure time playing sports. Her lob flew high into the air and dropped into the back of the court, just inside the baseline. Liverpool sacked their manager after they lost eight of their previous ten games. Every athlete's dream is to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. The object of the game of

half-time

the interval between the first and second halves of a game a person who rates the quality of a sporting performance, usually by awarding points a group of sports clubs that play each other over a period for a championship free time, or the use of free time for enjoyment a shot that is hit in a high arc, usually over the opponent's head the person in charge of a sports team a piece of engraved metal given to signify an achievement or an honor the thing you want to get or

judge

league

leisure

lob

manager

medal

object

football is to score more goals than the opponents. offside Forwards have to learn how to avoid being caught in an offside position. Roger Federer's opponent in the Wimbledon final was Rafael Nadal. A defender tries to pass the ball to a forward in a good position to score.

achieve; what you aim to do In an illegal position ahead of the ball (in football, rugby, hockey, etc.) the person one competes against in a contest or a game; rival to throw or kick the ball to another player on one's own team

opponent

pass

penalty

The penalty for abusing a a punishment imposed on a referee is usually a one-match player or team for breaking suspension. the rules of a sport All the athletes will do their best to perform well in the Olympic Games. Venus Williams put in one the best performances of her life to win the tournament. Rugby players work hard in the gym to build up their physiques. The fans cheered as the players ran onto the pitch. Our pitcher threw one of the best pitches of his life to win the game. How many players are on the court during a doubles match in tennis? Professional golfers spend hours every day practising their shots. Tiger Woods has been a professional golfer since he was 20 years old. Do you know who holds the world record for the men's 100 metres? to carry out a practised activity, such a play a sport an instance of competing in a sports event in public the form or shape of a person's body a playing field (British) a throw of the ball, esp. in baseball and softball a person who plays a sport

perform

performance

physique

pitch (1) pitch (2)

player

practise (U.S. spelling; practice) professional

to repeatedly do something in order to develop one's skill a person whose paid occupation is playing a sport the best performance that has been officially measured and noted

record

referee

The referee saw a foul, blew his whistle and awarded a free kick. In several sports there is an offside rule, and it's often difficult to explain. Do you know how to keep score in badminton?

a sports official with authority to make rulings during a contest the laws or regulations that govern how a game or sport is played the number of points a competitor or team earns during a game

rules

score

serve

Serving the ball is one of the to hit the ball to begin play (in most important skills in sports tennis, table tennis, squash, like tennis. volleyball, etc.) In basketball, players try shoot from outside the 3point line to score the extra points. Ken has gone to a boxing camp to improve his boxing skills. Spectators can add a lot to sporting events by creating an exciting atmosphere. Good managers know how to teach their players sportsmanship. The stadium was built for sports, but it's sometimes used for concerts as well. to kick, hit, or throw the ball in an attempt to score a goal (in soccer, hockey, basketball, etc.) the ability to do something well a person who watches an event an attitude of fairness, respect for opponents, and graciousness in winning or losing a sports arena with tiered seating for spectators

shoot

skill

spectator

sportsmanship

stadium

strategy

One of the jobs of the a plan to achieve an objective manager or coach is to develop a strategy for winning each game. Rugby players have to learn how to tackle an opponent strongly but fairly. Players use tactics such as attacking their opponent's weaknesses in order to win. Our daughter's basketball coach says she has a lot of natural talent for the game. to challenge an opponent who has the ball an action or strategy planned to achieve an objective a natural aptitude or skill

tackle

tactics

talent

teammate

The team wins because the players are always looking for their teammates. The best teams spend a lot of time on the training ground working on teamwork. The score was very close throughout the game, and it ended in a tie with 89 points each. The four major tennis tournaments form what is known as the 'Grand Slam'. Some players are a bit lazy and need a strict trainer to make them work hard. The hockey team trains every Tuesday and Thursday after school. The players carried the trophy over their heads as they ran around the stadium. In a game of cricket, there are two umpires on the field during play. The players had worked very hard, and they deserved their victory. The referee blew his whistle twice to signal the end of the match.

a fellow member of a sports team the combined action of a group of people a result in a game in which teams have the same final score; a draw a series of contests between a number of competitors, who compete for an overall prize a person who helps athletes develop their skills and fitness to teach a skill over time through instruction; to practise a skill a decorative object awarded as a prize in a contest or a tournament a sports official with authority to make rulings during a contest the act of winning a game or contest a small instrument that makes a high-pitched noise when blown

teamwork

tie

tournament

trainer

train

trophy

umpire

victory

whistle

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